France is set to see one of its smallest wine harvests in three decades, according to preliminary figures from the country’s government.<\/p>\n
According to France’s agriculture ministry, production is estimated to be 34 million hectolitres, down 6% on 2025.<\/p>\n
The ministry pointed to the heatwaves and drought conditions that hit France this summer.<\/p>\n
The estimate would mean wine production would be 17% lower than the 2021 to 2025 average, the ministry added.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued today (7 September), the ministry said the harvest picture “varied significantly” across France’s wine-growing regions. Some regions are recording “sharp declines” but others are seeing “slightly better yields following the poor harvests of 2025”, the ministry explained.<\/p>\n
In Champagne, production is expected to be down 49% year-on-year and 47% lower than the 2021-2025 average.<\/p>\n
The estimates suggest combined production in Bourgogne and Beaujolais will be a third lower on 2025 and the five-year average. The region suffered from hail storms earlier in the year. Pinot Noir production is estimated to be down 50%.<\/p>\n
By contrast, further south in Languedoc-Roussillon, output is expected to be 12% higher despite a 3% decline in productive vineyards. The region is, nonetheless, set to report an 8% fall in output on the 2021-2025 average.<\/p>\n
The harvest forecasts were completed by 1 September, the ministry said.<\/p>\n
Reviewing the overall estimates, the ministry added: “Conditions at the start of the season had been favourable. Spring soil moisture replenishment, good cluster development and low disease had initially suggested a higher harvest potential.<\/p>\n
“However, the hot, dry summer conditions diminished this potential. While late rainfall locally mitigated the effects of the drought, its impact on total national volume is expected to remain limited.<\/p>\n
“At this stage, all wine categories show a year-on-year decline, with the exception of IGP wines \u2013 predominantly from the Languedoc-Roussillon region \u2013 though their volume remains 7% below the five-year average.”<\/p>\n